Center for the Art of Performance

Center for the Art of Performance. The Center for the Art of Performance is a major presenting organization dedicated to the advancement of contemporary performing arts. Based at the University of California, Los Angeles, it commissions, produces, and presents innovative work across dance, music, theater, and interdisciplinary art forms. Its mission centers on supporting artists' creative processes and engaging diverse audiences within the cultural landscape of Southern California and beyond.

History and mission

The organization's roots are intertwined with the historic Royce Hall, a landmark venue on the campus of University of California, Los Angeles that has hosted performances since the 1920s. It was formally established in the 1990s, evolving from earlier performing arts programs at the university to become an independent curatorial force. Under the long-term leadership of Kristy Edmunds, who previously led the Portland Institute for Contemporary Art and the Melbourne International Arts Festival, the center solidified its artistic vision. Its core mission is to provide essential resources and a platform for established and emerging artists to develop ambitious new work, fostering a direct dialogue between creators and the public. This commitment extends to preserving the legacy of iconic figures like Merce Cunningham while incubating the next generation of artistic innovators.

Programming and artistic focus

The annual season features a globally sourced roster of artists known for pushing formal and conceptual boundaries. In dance, it has presented companies such as Batsheva Dance Company under Ohad Naharin, the Martha Graham Dance Company, and the work of Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker. Its music programming spans avant-garde composers like John Zorn and Meredith Monk to international traditions and contemporary jazz artists. The theater and performance art slate has included productions by Robert Wilson, Elevator Repair Service, and Taylor Mac. A significant focus is on multi-year commissioning initiatives, supporting the creation of major new works by artists like choreographer Rashaun Mitchell and composer Vijay Iyer. The center also actively engages with the Los Angeles artistic community, collaborating with local institutions such as the Hammer Museum and the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

Venues and facilities

The primary performance venue is the acoustically renowned Royce Hall, an iconic Spanish Colonial Revival building designed by Allison & Allison. This 1,800-seat theater hosts the center's largest-scale productions. For more intimate and experimental work, the organization utilizes the Freud Playhouse, a flexible proscenium theater. Additional campus and off-site locations are often activated for site-specific projects, festivals, and community engagements, allowing artistic work to resonate in unconventional spaces. These facilities provide critical infrastructure for both public performances and behind-the-scenes artist residencies, technical development, and rehearsal periods.

Leadership and organization

The center operates as an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in close partnership with University of California, Los Angeles. Kristy Edmunds serves as the Executive and Artistic Director, providing curatorial direction and overseeing all artistic and operational functions. Governance is provided by a dedicated Board of Directors, which includes prominent figures from the arts, academia, and philanthropy. The organizational structure supports distinct departments for programming, production, marketing, development, and education. Key collaborators and partners have included the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts, which provide grant support for its ambitious commissioning projects and artist support programs.

Impact and recognition

The center is widely regarded as one of the most influential presenting organizations in the United States, crucial to the ecosystem for contemporary performing arts. It has premiered numerous works that have subsequently toured nationally and internationally, amplifying the reach of artists from Los Angeles and around the world. Its commitment to artistic risk and long-term investment in creators has been recognized with awards from entities like the Association of Performing Arts Presenters. The center's programming significantly contributes to the cultural vitality of Westwood and the broader Los Angeles County, attracting audiences and fostering critical discourse. Its model of deep artist support continues to shape the field, influencing peer institutions such as the Walker Art Center and the Brooklyn Academy of Music.

Category:Performing arts organizations in Los Angeles Category:University of California, Los Angeles